Abstract
The performance of a fluorocarbon elastomer processing additive in rutileβfilled linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) compounds was evaluated by capillary rheometry, and blown film extrusion. Different compounding sequences were considered and their effects on the performance of the processing additive in the presence of various rutiles examined. Lower apparent melt viscosities and higher shear rates for the onset of melt fracture were observed when using certain surface treated rutiles. The nature of the surface coating applied to rutiles was found to have a great influence on the Theological properties of the filled compounds and on the dispersibility of the solids. The acidβbase characteristics of rutiles were determined by inverse gas chromatography techniques, and inherent agglomeration indexes for the pigments were measured by an application of powder rheology principles. It was found that those rutiles with high agglomeration indexes or those with highly basic surfaces interfered the most with the processing additive. Mechanisms by which rutile dispersibility and acidβbase character influence the effectiveness of the fluorocarbon elastomer processing additive are discussed.